"Hope" is a Thing with Feathers

By: Emily Dickinson

"Hope" is a Thing with Feathers

By: Emily Dickinson

Theme

The theme of this poem is that pain, comes over all of us, but hope is the battle that keeps human nature stubborn and fighting off the obstacles that life throws at us.

Symbolism

"Hope is the thing with feathers"(1)

This quote relates a hope to a thing with feathers, or in other words, a bird.

"And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the storm"(5-6)

The gale and storm symbolize the hardship we go through in life.

"I've heard it in the chillest land, And on the strangest sea"(9-10)

The chillest land and strangest sea symbolize that no matter the tough condition, hope still exists and sometimes we may have to search harder for it than other times.

"Hope is the thing with feathers"(1)

This quote relates a hope to a thing with feathers, or in other words, a bird.

"And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the storm"(5-6)

The gale and storm symbolize the hardship we go through in life.

"I've heard it in the chillest land, And on the strangest sea"(9-10)

The chillest land and strangest sea symbolize that no matter the tough condition, hope still exists and sometimes we may have to search harder for it than other times.

Tone

"And sings the tune--without the words, And never stops at all"(3-4)

The tone of this poem is optimism. This line expresses that even without the words, the bird still manages to sing, and does not give up.

"Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul"(1-2)

Also speaking of optimism, this quote shows that hope is within the soul, and within us all.

"Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me"(11-12)

Referring to optimism it shows that hope is simply present for us at all times, especially the rough ones, and that it never expects anything in return.

"And sings the tune--without the words, And never stops at all"(3-4)

The tone of this poem is optimism. This line expresses that even without the words, the bird still manages to sing, and does not give up.

"Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul"(1-2)

Also speaking of optimism, this quote shows that hope is within the soul, and within us all.

"Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me"(11-12)

Referring to optimism it shows that hope is simply present for us at all times, especially the rough ones, and that it never expects anything in return.

Rhyme

"Thing" (1) and "Sing" (3)

This rhyme informs the reader that the thing, which is a bird, is the hope that is singing.

"Heard" (5) and "Bird" (7)

This rhyme reminds the reader that the bird, which is hope, is always heard.

"Extremity" (11) and "Me" (12)

The rhyming in these two lines shows that the author, or "me", has faced extremities of loss of hope and that she has personal proof that hope is always alive.

"Thing" (1) and "Sing" (3)

This rhyme informs the reader that the thing, which is a bird, is the hope that is singing.

"Heard" (5) and "Bird" (7)

This rhyme reminds the reader that the bird, which is hope, is always heard.

"Extremity" (11) and "Me" (12)

The rhyming in these two lines shows that the author, or "me", has faced extremities of loss of hope and that she has personal proof that hope is always alive.

Why this poem caught my eye

Our world would be an extremely dark place without hope. Hope is something that is hard to hold onto, but I think it is important to find hope in rough times, and remind ourselves of all the wonderful aspects of our lives. I truly believe that hope for a better tomorrow is the idea that gets us through tough times in our lives.